Darran

It is great to see Road To Rome back on a racecourse because he was really badly injured when he last raced in a point in May 2019 and it was thought we wouldn't see him race again. Quite simply he wins this if he is anywhere near the level he showed 2 years ago. The 3 hunter chase wins were all impressive especially his one in the Walrus at Haydock he recorded an RPR of 149. He then ran a cracker at Cheltenham when finishing 4th to Hazel Hill and I suspect by Aintree he needed a break, but even so he still finished 5th. Nothing else in this field can get anywhere near that if if he hadn't got injured then I reckon he would be a 1/2 shot to win this.
For me the only other possible winner is Duhallow Tornado who raced very lazily last week at Catterick before eventually finishing 2nd. It's not the first time he has run like that as he did it at Cheltenham when 4th in May 2018. Blinkers for the first time is a good idea as he clearly needs something to help concentrate his mind on the job. The other slight concern is his jumping though as he was quite slow and deliberate last week and at Hexham back in November. If he does that around here then that isn't going to help him either. If Road To Rome is ridden in the same way he was before then he is going to try and make all which Rio Bravo did to Duhallow Tornado last week and he just couldn't get there. Road To Rome could well be a better version of Rio Bravo.
There isn't too much to say about the rest. Itstimeforaprint ran OK when 3rd on his only start last season, but has a fair bit to find on the top 2. Mr Pepperpot was 2nd in the African Belle/Cousin Pascal race at Alnwick which is clearly reasonable form, but he showed little in a couple of hunter chases a couple of years ago and I suspect he's only back under rules because there are no points at the moment. Snow Castle was well behind Mr Pepperpot on his final start of last season. He did beat Greensalt the time before, but that one threw the race away. The 2nd at Hexham in his only hunter chase to date was a fair effort, but I don't think he's backed that performance up since.
If the front two in the market do under perform then Teeton Surprise strikes me as the one who could take advantage. He won his Restricted at Larkhill by 30L last January although Dubai Quest did fall when in front so he probably wouldn't have beaten him given what that one has done since. He then failed to run his race at Didmarton. This season he went to Larkhill in December and ran a decent enough 6th to Salvatore. He then went to Wincanton and finished 6th again this time to Sametegal. On form he can't beat the other two, but he could well be best of the rest for me if you do want to take a chance on something at a bigger price and Bet365 offer a market where they bet without the front two in the betting so that could be an angle with him as well.
Initially I wasn't sure what I was going to do when it came to this race, but as I have written the preview and really thought about I think Road To Rome is a fair bet here. His trainer has proven time and time again that he can work wonders and I would be surprised if he lacked for fitness. I also think that if he wasn't showing something then they would have retired him. I accept you can't be certain until a horse actually runs in a race, but I actually think that is factored into the price as like I mention above I think he would be a 1/2 shot if he hadn't had a year off with injury. For me you need the blinkers to work for Duhallow Tornado as well as Road To Rome to have lost at least a stone in ability for him to win so I am rather keen on Road To Rome and happy to take a chance he can still run to a decent level of form.
Road To Rome 2pts @ 11/8 with Bet365

Copied from the Haydock review.
Apart from the fact there was scope for improvement in the jumping department, that was more than we could have hoped for with Bob And Co with Cheltenham in mind. As he showed last year he clearly has a serious engine and he looked to have plenty up his sleeve. I think Wishing And Hoping has run his best race of the season and he's not got close to him. I suspect once The Worlds End was beaten his jockey eased up on him so he didn't have a hard race (impossible to tell as he's out of shot for most of the straight), but even so he's miles back in 3rd and Ravished has ended up pulling up. That means that the horse who Hazel Hill beat at Ludlow hasn't even completed and the horse who was 3rd to Highway Jewel and Latenightpass has been hammered. Obviously his jumping could have been better, but he never really looked like falling. He jumped some really well and the mistakes and jumping out to his left clearly didn't stop him. What I was happy to see was that he settled well and there was no repeat of his Warwick antics. He also proved he doesn't have to lead. This is clearly the best hunter chase performance we have seen this season and in my view he should be favourite. I think he's a better horse than Billaway and I really do think he wins at Cheltenham. His price ranges from 6/1-8/1 and I think that is on the large side.

Copied from the Haydock review.
Apart from the fact there was scope for improvement in the jumping department, that was more than we could have hoped for with Bob And Co with Cheltenham in mind. As he showed last year he clearly has a serious engine and he looked to have plenty up his sleeve. I think Wishing And Hoping has run his best race of the season and he's not got close to him. I suspect once The Worlds End was beaten his jockey eased up on him so he didn't have a hard race (impossible to tell as he's out of shot for most of the straight), but even so he's miles back in 3rd and Ravished has ended up pulling up. That means that the horse who Hazel Hill beat at Ludlow hasn't even completed and the horse who was 3rd to Highway Jewel and Latenightpass has been hammered. Obviously his jumping could have been better, but he never really looked like falling. He jumped some really well and the mistakes and jumping out to his left clearly didn't stop him. What I was happy to see was that he settled well and there was no repeat of his Warwick antics. He also proved he doesn't have to lead. This is clearly the best hunter chase performance we have seen this season and in my view he should be favourite. I think he's a better horse than Billaway and I really do think he wins at Cheltenham. His price ranges from 6/1-8/1 and I think that is on the large side.

Let's now go back to Thursday and the two divisions of the Novices' contest at Leicester. 
The 1st division looked the stronger beforehand and I think that turned out to be the case. I thought Harry Cobden gave Chameron a very smart ride as he allowed Cousin Pascal to go on down the straight and he didn't panic. In the end he won by just over 2L and his jockey suggested after the race that he didn't enjoy the ground so I suspect there is more to come. It was also good to see his trainer gain a winner from his first runner after taking over from his wife. Cousin Pascal has run a hell of a race in 2nd and he isn't always going to bump into one as good as Chameron. they finished miles clear of the 3rd Envoye Special who in turn was miles clear of the only other finisher. I don't think the 3rd stayed in the ground, but he travelled pretty well into the race and I do think he is one to keep in mind for future contests. Matts Commission got very tired after also travelling quite well into the race and he should improve for the run.
Premier Magic had to work very hard to win division 2 which surprised me because I thought he would win very easily. I guess the ground was probably to blame for that one, but it does make me question the worth of the form. No Limitations was the one to make the favourite pull out all the stops and it was a personal best effort. As suspected I'm Wiser Now ran well without winning despite the fact he is still a maiden and I would be happy to continue taking him on for win purposes. 
Onto Friday and starting with the Fakenham race. I was really impressed with Dubai Quest and Bridget did amazingly well to sit a mistake and then to get her iron back which isn't an easy thing to do round a tight track like Fakenham. He looked a possible John Corbett Cup contender to me. Getting Closer didn't really jump well enough, but if he get his act together on that front he could well find a winning opportunity. Rocklander looked a sitting duck for the winner when he departed as his jumping to his right had got pretty bad by that stage. 
Rocklander's trainer Dale Peters had much better luck at Kelso though as his Kilkishen did it well to win on his first start for him. I think the form is solid enough and he could easily add to this victory during the season. Senor Lombardy landed the e/w money for us and he gave it his all, but wasn't quite good enough. That's two nice races he's run now though and surely he will get his opportunity to win a hunter chase this season. It was over 50L back to the 3rd African Belle who was pretty free and tired badly after being headed. Kalabaloo was the big disappointment though and I was never really that happy with the way she was travelling. I suspect the ground was to blame and she can do better on a better surface. What a shame for Tango De Juilley's connections that he unseated at the 1st after so long off the track. He was quite well backed before the race which was interesting.
Next up we have Wetherby on Tuesday, Doncaster on Wednesday and then Fontwell next Sunday which is the last chance for horses to qualify for Cheltenham, but apart from Sametegal I can't really think of what else needs to now.
 

More profit on Friday and again I will catch up on looking back at the action once today's race is out of the way. It is a shame that the sponsors have got rid of the Walrus part of the race title, but there we go. As usual there it is a quality looking race which will see changes on the Cheltenham market (speaking of races which has had their name changed!)
Having backed Bob And Co for Cheltenham I am clearly looking for a big run and I am pretty confident he will win. Paul Nicholls shares my confidence as well and as I mentioned on my Cheltenham thread he thinks the wind op has improved him. If that really is the case then he is going to be a big player next month given he was already the top rated pointer/hunter chaser from last season. It should also help him stay better than he looked like he would last season. He settled so much better at Bangor and Fontwell than he did at Warwick when he pulled his owners arms out the whole way. I guess the concern is he does that again first time up, but at least this time he has a pro jockey on which will help if he is that keen again. This looks the perfect race to set him up for Cheltenham in a months time.
A good run from The Worlds End would obviously be a boost for the Highway Jewel form so hopefully he runs well, but clearly connections are trying to get him qualified for Cheltenham so a 1st 4 finish will be enough and after a fairly tough race at Warwick they surely won't be over hard on him if they don't need to be. Even so I think Bob And Co can give him 8lbs anyway.
I thought Wishing And Hoping might have got beaten at Catterick earlier in the week and it is hard to see how the ground here is going to be much different to the ground at Catterick. He was beaten by Alcala in this race last year and given the form of his two runs this season aren't as good as the form he showed last season I just don't see how he can win this.
No doubt the trainer will be backing Ravished and the slight drop in trip will help. He ran really well at Ludlow and I am sure he will run well here, but I just don't see how he can beat Bob And Co.
Ennistown is the only other one worth a mention and although he has ground to make up on Ravished on that Ludlow run he was a big eye-catcher that day. It actually wouldn't surprise me if he finished in the first 3 although and they could have found an easier race to qualify for Cheltenham or Aintree, but that could be a sign that connections are expecting a big run from him. He could be one for the betting without markets. Ultimately though I can't see past Bob And Co. 
Bob And Co 3pts @ 11/8 with most bookies

More profit on Friday and again I will catch up on looking back at the action once today's race is out of the way. It is a shame that the sponsors have got rid of the Walrus part of the race title, but there we go. As usual there it is a quality looking race which will see changes on the Cheltenham market (speaking of races which has had their name changed!)
Having backed Bob And Co for Cheltenham I am clearly looking for a big run and I am pretty confident he will win. Paul Nicholls shares my confidence as well and as I mentioned on my Cheltenham thread he thinks the wind op has improved him. If that really is the case then he is going to be a big player next month given he was already the top rated pointer/hunter chaser from last season. It should also help him stay better than he looked like he would last season. He settled so much better at Bangor and Fontwell than he did at Warwick when he pulled his owners arms out the whole way. I guess the concern is he does that again first time up, but at least this time he has a pro jockey on which will help if he is that keen again. This looks the perfect race to set him up for Cheltenham in a months time.
A good run from The Worlds End would obviously be a boost for the Highway Jewel form so hopefully he runs well, but clearly connections are trying to get him qualified for Cheltenham so a 1st 4 finish will be enough and after a fairly tough race at Warwick they surely won't be over hard on him if they don't need to be. Even so I think Bob And Co can give him 8lbs anyway.
I thought Wishing And Hoping might have got beaten at Catterick earlier in the week and it is hard to see how the ground here is going to be much different to the ground at Catterick. He was beaten by Alcala in this race last year and given the form of his two runs this season aren't as good as the form he showed last season I just don't see how he can win this.
No doubt the trainer will be backing Ravished and the slight drop in trip will help. He ran really well at Ludlow and I am sure he will run well here, but I just don't see how he can beat Bob And Co.
Ennistown is the only other one worth a mention and although he has ground to make up on Ravished on that Ludlow run he was a big eye-catcher that day. It actually wouldn't surprise me if he finished in the first 3 although and they could have found an easier race to qualify for Cheltenham or Aintree, but that could be a sign that connections are expecting a big run from him. He could be one for the betting without markets. Ultimately though I can't see past Bob And Co. 
Bob And Co 3pts @ 11/8 with most bookies

I will look back at the two hunter chases yesterday in due course, but it was good to finally get on the scoresheet proper for the season even if it was a bit closer than I thought it would be! Today we have two hunter chases in the space of 7 minutes and Tom Ellis has the favourite in both races.
I still start at Fakenham where Dubai Quest heads the market at the time of writing. He fell on his debut for the stable when in front in a Restricted at Larkhill last January, but soon made amends at Thorpe Lodge later that month. The real interesting piece of form though is when he was impressive in winning at Brocklesby in an Intermediate. He beat Omar Maretti by 12L that day and that one landed a maiden hurdle at Catterick a couple of weeks ago so the form looks strong. He then had little problem in winning a 4 runner race at Dalton Park before the season ended last March. He looks a promising horse and could easily make a winning hunter chase debut.
Rocklander has been placed at a Cheltenham Festival albeit it 3 years ago now and he clearly retains a fair bit of ability based on his two pointing runs for new connections last season. He was a 15L 2nd to Hazel Hill first up and then won fairly easily at High Easter in March although that was a race for horses 10 and older. There is every chance he can still be up to winning a hunter chase this season although at his age he might need it first up and he comes up against a couple of promising younger horses.
Getting Closer is the other youngster in the field and for me the only other one that has a chance. The stand out piece of form for me is actually when he finished 2nd to the very promising Fumet D'oudairies at Horseheath a year ago. His next run was in December when he won his Intermediate at Wadebridge by a head, but he was getting 10lbs by the 2nd that day and although Waterloo Warrior is a useful yardstick it leaves him with a bit to find with the other two for me.
So in summary I like Dubai Quest here. He looks a very promising horse who has age on his side and although Rocklander could well be up to winning this season he comes up against a tough opponent here.
Dubai Quest 2pts @ 13/8 with Betfair and BetVictor
Onto Kelso and I think there is a strong chance it will be a quickfire across the card double for Tom Ellis. Kalabaloo is already a hunter chase winner having won the mares race on Cheltenham's hunter chase night in 2019. She disappointed in the John Corbet Cup at Stratford on her next start, but came back in good form last season winning two Opens at Alnwick. Both were easy successes and the 2nd of them was won in a quick time despite the fact there were only 4 runners. She then went to the Foxhunter and ran with great credit to finish 8th. I'd imagine she would be heading back to Cheltenham in a months time and could well take this contest on the way.
On what she has done so far African Belle is a bit short in the market. Granted after losing her first two races she has won her next 3 which not that many horses manage to do, but on ratings she still has a lot to find with a horse who finished 8th in last season's Foxhunter. Her win at Alnwick in December did she her finish 13L ahead of Cousin Pascal who obviously did boost the form yesterday, but I can't help but think that wasn't his true running. Fair play if she turns out good enough to win this, but if she doesn't there will be easier opportunities for her.
Carter McKay won two weak hunter chases at Sedgefield and Cartmel in 2019 very easily, but he seems to have gone backwards since. He was 3rd at 4/9 in a point last March and was then 2nd at Maisemore on his seasonal return losing to a 14yo and then pulled up at Alnwick last time. I suspect that wasn't his true running and he does have first time cheekpieces here, but he's hard to fancy on what he has shown this season.
What can you write about a 13yo who hasn't run for 4 years? It's obviously complete guesswork about how much ability Tango De Juilley still has, but Venetia Williams doesn't send too many hunter chasing and obviously he must be showing something to run him again. He was 2nd off 149 at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016 and then pulled up in the same race on his only other run since a year later. If he wins you just have to take it on the chin and say what a training performance it was, but how can anyone really back him. Also to me they might have qualification for Aintree in mind and a first 4 finish will be the priority.
Kilkishen was showing useful enough form in Ireland when last seen in September and October, but it wouldn't be good enough to win this in my view.
The one other horse in with a chance is also one that is over priced and shouldn't be a double figure chance. I wrote after the Scottish Foxhunter that I thought Senor Lombardy had run a really good race when finishing 4th. Yes he was 23L behind Salvatore, but a mix of the class of horse in front of him and the trip meant he finished that far behind. It was certainly a big improvement on his previous rules form over fences and backed up the very good win on pointing debut for Brian Harding at Alnwick. Now that was on the same card that African Belle won on and he clocked a faster time by just over a second whilst carrying 7lbs more. Clearly on that the two horses should not be that far apart in the betting and this drop in trip should help as well. I'm not sure he can beat Kalabaloo if that one runs to form, but he has a very good place chance and is worth having onside along with the market leader.
Kalabaloo 2pts @ 11/8 with Bet365
Senor Lombardy 0.75pts e/w @ 11/1 with Bet365
Also at Fakenham in the 2.42 Organised Solution makes some appeal. I must admit the trip is a slight concern and the mark of 105 is not lenient based on his Irish form, but on his pointing form since coming over from Ireland there has to be scope off this mark. He won at Maisemore in October and the 2nd and 3rd both ran well at Leicester yesterday in division 2 of the hunter chase. He was then a long way behind Highway Jewel and Hazel Hill when 4th which isn't a surprise and he ran pretty well all things considered. He has had a wind op since and he looks over priced to me at double figure odds.
Organised Solution @ 10/1 with Bet365

I will look back at the two hunter chases yesterday in due course, but it was good to finally get on the scoresheet proper for the season even if it was a bit closer than I thought it would be! Today we have two hunter chases in the space of 7 minutes and Tom Ellis has the favourite in both races.
I still start at Fakenham where Dubai Quest heads the market at the time of writing. He fell on his debut for the stable when in front in a Restricted at Larkhill last January, but soon made amends at Thorpe Lodge later that month. The real interesting piece of form though is when he was impressive in winning at Brocklesby in an Intermediate. He beat Omar Maretti by 12L that day and that one landed a maiden hurdle at Catterick a couple of weeks ago so the form looks strong. He then had little problem in winning a 4 runner race at Dalton Park before the season ended last March. He looks a promising horse and could easily make a winning hunter chase debut.
Rocklander has been placed at a Cheltenham Festival albeit it 3 years ago now and he clearly retains a fair bit of ability based on his two pointing runs for new connections last season. He was a 15L 2nd to Hazel Hill first up and then won fairly easily at High Easter in March although that was a race for horses 10 and older. There is every chance he can still be up to winning a hunter chase this season although at his age he might need it first up and he comes up against a couple of promising younger horses.
Getting Closer is the other youngster in the field and for me the only other one that has a chance. The stand out piece of form for me is actually when he finished 2nd to the very promising Fumet D'oudairies at Horseheath a year ago. His next run was in December when he won his Intermediate at Wadebridge by a head, but he was getting 10lbs by the 2nd that day and although Waterloo Warrior is a useful yardstick it leaves him with a bit to find with the other two for me.
So in summary I like Dubai Quest here. He looks a very promising horse who has age on his side and although Rocklander could well be up to winning this season he comes up against a tough opponent here.
Dubai Quest 2pts @ 13/8 with Betfair and BetVictor
Onto Kelso and I think there is a strong chance it will be a quickfire across the card double for Tom Ellis. Kalabaloo is already a hunter chase winner having won the mares race on Cheltenham's hunter chase night in 2019. She disappointed in the John Corbet Cup at Stratford on her next start, but came back in good form last season winning two Opens at Alnwick. Both were easy successes and the 2nd of them was won in a quick time despite the fact there were only 4 runners. She then went to the Foxhunter and ran with great credit to finish 8th. I'd imagine she would be heading back to Cheltenham in a months time and could well take this contest on the way.
On what she has done so far African Belle is a bit short in the market. Granted after losing her first two races she has won her next 3 which not that many horses manage to do, but on ratings she still has a lot to find with a horse who finished 8th in last season's Foxhunter. Her win at Alnwick in December did she her finish 13L ahead of Cousin Pascal who obviously did boost the form yesterday, but I can't help but think that wasn't his true running. Fair play if she turns out good enough to win this, but if she doesn't there will be easier opportunities for her.
Carter McKay won two weak hunter chases at Sedgefield and Cartmel in 2019 very easily, but he seems to have gone backwards since. He was 3rd at 4/9 in a point last March and was then 2nd at Maisemore on his seasonal return losing to a 14yo and then pulled up at Alnwick last time. I suspect that wasn't his true running and he does have first time cheekpieces here, but he's hard to fancy on what he has shown this season.
What can you write about a 13yo who hasn't run for 4 years? It's obviously complete guesswork about how much ability Tango De Juilley still has, but Venetia Williams doesn't send too many hunter chasing and obviously he must be showing something to run him again. He was 2nd off 149 at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016 and then pulled up in the same race on his only other run since a year later. If he wins you just have to take it on the chin and say what a training performance it was, but how can anyone really back him. Also to me they might have qualification for Aintree in mind and a first 4 finish will be the priority.
Kilkishen was showing useful enough form in Ireland when last seen in September and October, but it wouldn't be good enough to win this in my view.
The one other horse in with a chance is also one that is over priced and shouldn't be a double figure chance. I wrote after the Scottish Foxhunter that I thought Senor Lombardy had run a really good race when finishing 4th. Yes he was 23L behind Salvatore, but a mix of the class of horse in front of him and the trip meant he finished that far behind. It was certainly a big improvement on his previous rules form over fences and backed up the very good win on pointing debut for Brian Harding at Alnwick. Now that was on the same card that African Belle won on and he clocked a faster time by just over a second whilst carrying 7lbs more. Clearly on that the two horses should not be that far apart in the betting and this drop in trip should help as well. I'm not sure he can beat Kalabaloo if that one runs to form, but he has a very good place chance and is worth having onside along with the market leader.
Kalabaloo 2pts @ 11/8 with Bet365
Senor Lombardy 0.75pts e/w @ 11/1 with Bet365
Also at Fakenham in the 2.42 Organised Solution makes some appeal. I must admit the trip is a slight concern and the mark of 105 is not lenient based on his Irish form, but on his pointing form since coming over from Ireland there has to be scope off this mark. He won at Maisemore in October and the 2nd and 3rd both ran well at Leicester yesterday in division 2 of the hunter chase. He was then a long way behind Highway Jewel and Hazel Hill when 4th which isn't a surprise and he ran pretty well all things considered. He has had a wind op since and he looks over priced to me at double figure odds.
Organised Solution @ 10/1 with Bet365

I will look back at the two hunter chases yesterday in due course, but it was good to finally get on the scoresheet proper for the season even if it was a bit closer than I thought it would be! Today we have two hunter chases in the space of 7 minutes and Tom Ellis has the favourite in both races.
I still start at Fakenham where Dubai Quest heads the market at the time of writing. He fell on his debut for the stable when in front in a Restricted at Larkhill last January, but soon made amends at Thorpe Lodge later that month. The real interesting piece of form though is when he was impressive in winning at Brocklesby in an Intermediate. He beat Omar Maretti by 12L that day and that one landed a maiden hurdle at Catterick a couple of weeks ago so the form looks strong. He then had little problem in winning a 4 runner race at Dalton Park before the season ended last March. He looks a promising horse and could easily make a winning hunter chase debut.
Rocklander has been placed at a Cheltenham Festival albeit it 3 years ago now and he clearly retains a fair bit of ability based on his two pointing runs for new connections last season. He was a 15L 2nd to Hazel Hill first up and then won fairly easily at High Easter in March although that was a race for horses 10 and older. There is every chance he can still be up to winning a hunter chase this season although at his age he might need it first up and he comes up against a couple of promising younger horses.
Getting Closer is the other youngster in the field and for me the only other one that has a chance. The stand out piece of form for me is actually when he finished 2nd to the very promising Fumet D'oudairies at Horseheath a year ago. His next run was in December when he won his Intermediate at Wadebridge by a head, but he was getting 10lbs by the 2nd that day and although Waterloo Warrior is a useful yardstick it leaves him with a bit to find with the other two for me.
So in summary I like Dubai Quest here. He looks a very promising horse who has age on his side and although Rocklander could well be up to winning this season he comes up against a tough opponent here.
Dubai Quest 2pts @ 13/8 with Betfair and BetVictor
Onto Kelso and I think there is a strong chance it will be a quickfire across the card double for Tom Ellis. Kalabaloo is already a hunter chase winner having won the mares race on Cheltenham's hunter chase night in 2019. She disappointed in the John Corbet Cup at Stratford on her next start, but came back in good form last season winning two Opens at Alnwick. Both were easy successes and the 2nd of them was won in a quick time despite the fact there were only 4 runners. She then went to the Foxhunter and ran with great credit to finish 8th. I'd imagine she would be heading back to Cheltenham in a months time and could well take this contest on the way.
On what she has done so far African Belle is a bit short in the market. Granted after losing her first two races she has won her next 3 which not that many horses manage to do, but on ratings she still has a lot to find with a horse who finished 8th in last season's Foxhunter. Her win at Alnwick in December did she her finish 13L ahead of Cousin Pascal who obviously did boost the form yesterday, but I can't help but think that wasn't his true running. Fair play if she turns out good enough to win this, but if she doesn't there will be easier opportunities for her.
Carter McKay won two weak hunter chases at Sedgefield and Cartmel in 2019 very easily, but he seems to have gone backwards since. He was 3rd at 4/9 in a point last March and was then 2nd at Maisemore on his seasonal return losing to a 14yo and then pulled up at Alnwick last time. I suspect that wasn't his true running and he does have first time cheekpieces here, but he's hard to fancy on what he has shown this season.
What can you write about a 13yo who hasn't run for 4 years? It's obviously complete guesswork about how much ability Tango De Juilley still has, but Venetia Williams doesn't send too many hunter chasing and obviously he must be showing something to run him again. He was 2nd off 149 at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016 and then pulled up in the same race on his only other run since a year later. If he wins you just have to take it on the chin and say what a training performance it was, but how can anyone really back him. Also to me they might have qualification for Aintree in mind and a first 4 finish will be the priority.
Kilkishen was showing useful enough form in Ireland when last seen in September and October, but it wouldn't be good enough to win this in my view.
The one other horse in with a chance is also one that is over priced and shouldn't be a double figure chance. I wrote after the Scottish Foxhunter that I thought Senor Lombardy had run a really good race when finishing 4th. Yes he was 23L behind Salvatore, but a mix of the class of horse in front of him and the trip meant he finished that far behind. It was certainly a big improvement on his previous rules form over fences and backed up the very good win on pointing debut for Brian Harding at Alnwick. Now that was on the same card that African Belle won on and he clocked a faster time by just over a second whilst carrying 7lbs more. Clearly on that the two horses should not be that far apart in the betting and this drop in trip should help as well. I'm not sure he can beat Kalabaloo if that one runs to form, but he has a very good place chance and is worth having onside along with the market leader.
Kalabaloo 2pts @ 11/8 with Bet365
Senor Lombardy 0.75pts e/w @ 11/1 with Bet365
Also at Fakenham in the 2.42 Organised Solution makes some appeal. I must admit the trip is a slight concern and the mark of 105 is not lenient based on his Irish form, but on his pointing form since coming over from Ireland there has to be scope off this mark. He won at Maisemore in October and the 2nd and 3rd both ran well at Leicester yesterday in division 2 of the hunter chase. He was then a long way behind Highway Jewel and Hazel Hill when 4th which isn't a surprise and he ran pretty well all things considered. He has had a wind op since and he looks over priced to me at double figure odds.
Organised Solution @ 10/1 with Bet365

I am led to believe that Thursday sees the first divided hunter chase for 20 years which is much needed so horses can actually get a run and we have two max fields as well. The races are very uncompetitive though and the vast majority have no obvious chance and really both favourites ought to be winning.
In division 1 Chameron should be pretty hard to beat as his pointing form is way above anything else in the field. Paul Nicholls owns him and used to train before sending him to Rose Loxton last season. Since Rose sadly passed away her husband Sam has taken over the training, but she trained him to two successes at Larkhill in January and March. First up he beat Miss Seagreen by 15L and then bolted up in the Coronation Cup. The concern would be that he fell once and unseated once in 4 starts over fences under rules and the other one he was miles back in last. He does look a different horse now though. He does still need to qualify for Cheltenham so the one concern is if they will prioritise that over winning, but really he shouldn't be going anywhere near Cheltenham if he doesn't win this.
Matts Commission is 2nd in and has won 7 out of 14 in points including both starts last season, but there isn't too much depth to his form and as much as he should finish in the 1st 3 he would need something to happen to Chameron to win the race.
I think a bigger danger will be Envoye Special who used to be a stablemate to the favourite. He was reported to have a breathing problem on his last start for Nicholls in July, but he hasn't had a breathing op and they are carrying on with the tongue-tie. He was given a very quiet at Larkhill in December on pointing debut and was just never put into the race which was won by Salvatore. His stamina has never truly been tested, but I think he will stay and he was due to run over further at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago.
Shometheway won her Restricted and Intermediate last season and you would imagine she is improving, but she has a lot to find on form at this stage with the 3 above. Conditions should suit though.
I don't think anything else is worth a mention.
In division 2 in my view if Premier Magic runs up to anything near the same level of form that he showed when beat Wishing And Hoping on his seasonal return then he will win. Nothing else comes close to running to that sort of level as most of these have struggled to even win a Restricted. We know the trainers horses are flying at the moment and he really ought to be the 2nd winner of the week for the yard.
The other Gibbs runner is Boss Baby who has been backed at big prices, but he hasn't even lost his maiden tag yet so I can't be having him. Bradley has been riding No Limitations whose 2nd to Miss Seagreen at Didmarton last March was a good effort. He finished behind Gottagottagetaway at Maisemore when they were 2nd and 3rd, but he won at Larkhill last time. Their form though isn't as good as the favourites.
Funnily enough I do think I'm Wiser Now might be the one to chase the favourite home. He's still a maiden and clearly has his quirks as he ought to have won at Barbury last time and fell when in front at Maisemore the time before. He looks the type of horse to continually find one too good at whatever level he races at so although others have won races I can see him hitting the frame here and possibly finish 2nd.
I know it is dull, but it would be surprising if both favourites don't win the two races on all known form so I am going to keep it simple and stick them in a double.
Chameron and Premier Magic 2pts double @ 2.15/1 with Betfair
At Fontwell in their 3.58 there is a horse running who has actually beaten Premier Magic and gets to run off a mark of just 82 in a handicap hurdle. Not surprisingly the really fancy prices have gone, but on the form of that Restricted win a year she is clearly well handicapped. She pulled up after that in a point, but she ran quite well in a jumpers bumper at the start of the month on her first start since which bodes well. Her jockey takes off another 3lbs as well and she is still over priced with most bookies paying 5 places as well.
Fleur Du Pommier @ 10/1 with Bet365 to 4 places or 10/1 with Betfair to 5 places

Cheers Darran. Thought they were both beat!

I am led to believe that Thursday sees the first divided hunter chase for 20 years which is much needed so horses can actually get a run and we have two max fields as well. The races are very uncompetitive though and the vast majority have no obvious chance and really both favourites ought to be winning.
In division 1 Chameron should be pretty hard to beat as his pointing form is way above anything else in the field. Paul Nicholls owns him and used to train before sending him to Rose Loxton last season. Since Rose sadly passed away her husband Sam has taken over the training, but she trained him to two successes at Larkhill in January and March. First up he beat Miss Seagreen by 15L and then bolted up in the Coronation Cup. The concern would be that he fell once and unseated once in 4 starts over fences under rules and the other one he was miles back in last. He does look a different horse now though. He does still need to qualify for Cheltenham so the one concern is if they will prioritise that over winning, but really he shouldn't be going anywhere near Cheltenham if he doesn't win this.
Matts Commission is 2nd in and has won 7 out of 14 in points including both starts last season, but there isn't too much depth to his form and as much as he should finish in the 1st 3 he would need something to happen to Chameron to win the race.
I think a bigger danger will be Envoye Special who used to be a stablemate to the favourite. He was reported to have a breathing problem on his last start for Nicholls in July, but he hasn't had a breathing op and they are carrying on with the tongue-tie. He was given a very quiet at Larkhill in December on pointing debut and was just never put into the race which was won by Salvatore. His stamina has never truly been tested, but I think he will stay and he was due to run over further at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago.
Shometheway won her Restricted and Intermediate last season and you would imagine she is improving, but she has a lot to find on form at this stage with the 3 above. Conditions should suit though.
I don't think anything else is worth a mention.
In division 2 in my view if Premier Magic runs up to anything near the same level of form that he showed when beat Wishing And Hoping on his seasonal return then he will win. Nothing else comes close to running to that sort of level as most of these have struggled to even win a Restricted. We know the trainers horses are flying at the moment and he really ought to be the 2nd winner of the week for the yard.
The other Gibbs runner is Boss Baby who has been backed at big prices, but he hasn't even lost his maiden tag yet so I can't be having him. Bradley has been riding No Limitations whose 2nd to Miss Seagreen at Didmarton last March was a good effort. He finished behind Gottagottagetaway at Maisemore when they were 2nd and 3rd, but he won at Larkhill last time. Their form though isn't as good as the favourites.
Funnily enough I do think I'm Wiser Now might be the one to chase the favourite home. He's still a maiden and clearly has his quirks as he ought to have won at Barbury last time and fell when in front at Maisemore the time before. He looks the type of horse to continually find one too good at whatever level he races at so although others have won races I can see him hitting the frame here and possibly finish 2nd.
I know it is dull, but it would be surprising if both favourites don't win the two races on all known form so I am going to keep it simple and stick them in a double.
Chameron and Premier Magic 2pts double @ 2.15/1 with Betfair
At Fontwell in their 3.58 there is a horse running who has actually beaten Premier Magic and gets to run off a mark of just 82 in a handicap hurdle. Not surprisingly the really fancy prices have gone, but on the form of that Restricted win a year she is clearly well handicapped. She pulled up after that in a point, but she ran quite well in a jumpers bumper at the start of the month on her first start since which bodes well. Her jockey takes off another 3lbs as well and she is still over priced with most bookies paying 5 places as well.
Fleur Du Pommier @ 10/1 with Bet365 to 4 places or 10/1 with Betfair to 5 places

I am led to believe that Thursday sees the first divided hunter chase for 20 years which is much needed so horses can actually get a run and we have two max fields as well. The races are very uncompetitive though and the vast majority have no obvious chance and really both favourites ought to be winning.
In division 1 Chameron should be pretty hard to beat as his pointing form is way above anything else in the field. Paul Nicholls owns him and used to train before sending him to Rose Loxton last season. Since Rose sadly passed away her husband Sam has taken over the training, but she trained him to two successes at Larkhill in January and March. First up he beat Miss Seagreen by 15L and then bolted up in the Coronation Cup. The concern would be that he fell once and unseated once in 4 starts over fences under rules and the other one he was miles back in last. He does look a different horse now though. He does still need to qualify for Cheltenham so the one concern is if they will prioritise that over winning, but really he shouldn't be going anywhere near Cheltenham if he doesn't win this.
Matts Commission is 2nd in and has won 7 out of 14 in points including both starts last season, but there isn't too much depth to his form and as much as he should finish in the 1st 3 he would need something to happen to Chameron to win the race.
I think a bigger danger will be Envoye Special who used to be a stablemate to the favourite. He was reported to have a breathing problem on his last start for Nicholls in July, but he hasn't had a breathing op and they are carrying on with the tongue-tie. He was given a very quiet at Larkhill in December on pointing debut and was just never put into the race which was won by Salvatore. His stamina has never truly been tested, but I think he will stay and he was due to run over further at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago.
Shometheway won her Restricted and Intermediate last season and you would imagine she is improving, but she has a lot to find on form at this stage with the 3 above. Conditions should suit though.
I don't think anything else is worth a mention.
In division 2 in my view if Premier Magic runs up to anything near the same level of form that he showed when beat Wishing And Hoping on his seasonal return then he will win. Nothing else comes close to running to that sort of level as most of these have struggled to even win a Restricted. We know the trainers horses are flying at the moment and he really ought to be the 2nd winner of the week for the yard.
The other Gibbs runner is Boss Baby who has been backed at big prices, but he hasn't even lost his maiden tag yet so I can't be having him. Bradley has been riding No Limitations whose 2nd to Miss Seagreen at Didmarton last March was a good effort. He finished behind Gottagottagetaway at Maisemore when they were 2nd and 3rd, but he won at Larkhill last time. Their form though isn't as good as the favourites.
Funnily enough I do think I'm Wiser Now might be the one to chase the favourite home. He's still a maiden and clearly has his quirks as he ought to have won at Barbury last time and fell when in front at Maisemore the time before. He looks the type of horse to continually find one too good at whatever level he races at so although others have won races I can see him hitting the frame here and possibly finish 2nd.
I know it is dull, but it would be surprising if both favourites don't win the two races on all known form so I am going to keep it simple and stick them in a double.
Chameron and Premier Magic 2pts double @ 2.15/1 with Betfair
At Fontwell in their 3.58 there is a horse running who has actually beaten Premier Magic and gets to run off a mark of just 82 in a handicap hurdle. Not surprisingly the really fancy prices have gone, but on the form of that Restricted win a year she is clearly well handicapped. She pulled up after that in a point, but she ran quite well in a jumpers bumper at the start of the month on her first start since which bodes well. Her jockey takes off another 3lbs as well and she is still over priced with most bookies paying 5 places as well.
Fleur Du Pommier @ 10/1 with Bet365 to 4 places or 10/1 with Betfair to 5 places

Another 2nd which makes it 4 2nds and a 3rd from the 5 races so far which is pretty frustrating although to not lose that much money from backing an odds on shot e/w isn't actually as bad as it could have been. Duhallow Tornado never looked like winning as he was hardly ever on the bridle and his jumping was pretty slow which it had been at Hexham. To finish 2nd was a hell of an effort really and it looks like he just needs a real stamina test now. Having backed the trainer's first two hunter chase runners this season it was annoying I didn't at least put Rio Bravo up as a saver, but he did it quite cosily in the end and from the front which has tended to be what the yards runners have done so far this season. Hopefully the yard can keep this up until at least Cheltenham! 
Haymount finished 3rd and it was an OK run, but it concerns me that some of the bigger priced horses were so close in behind so I am not sure the form is overly strong. Wishing And Hoping is entered at Haydock, but the ground will surely be worse there and it looks set to be a much hotter race so who knows if he will turn up. 
Next up will be the divided novices' hunter chase at Leicester on Thursday.

After a blank week because of the weather we could have a really busy week as the Leicester hunter chase on Thursday looks like it might divide, there are two on Friday and we have one of the bigger hunter chases of the season on Saturday at Haydock.
It was good of Catterick to put on this extra hunter chase as they knew there would be demand for it and there is a big field. As per the races we have already seen though most of them have little chance. Wishing And Hoping was being touted as a possible Cheltenham horse last season especially after he won at Taunton, but connections wanted to wait a season as they thought he needed more experience plus they had Hazel Hill. He was 2nd to Alcala at Haydock a year ago and then bolted up in a weak race over course and distance in March. This season he was a comfortable winner at Maisemore and then was beaten at 1/3 at Chaddesley Corbett in December. I've got a feeling he under performed that day as even though he led Alex never looks that comfortable on him. Once passed by the winner he didn't find an awful lot and just kept on at the same pace. He is the most likely winner, but you wouldn't have thought Premier Magic would have been good enough to beat him last time so at odds on I will pass.
Haymount was well beaten by Shantou Flyer at Fakenham a year ago when 2nd, but Fakenham would not have suited him at all. This will be slightly more of a stiffer test, but Catterick is still pretty tight and that concerns me. He's 12 now and might just need this 1st time out.
Rio Bravo has not surprisingly been backed given he is another Bradley Gibbs trained runner and we know his horses are turning up very fit. He is a stablemate of the horse who beat Wishing And Hoping last time out and he does have plenty to find on form given he has only won up to Restricted level, albeit he won by 57L. He only ran once last season and was very disappointing when 3rd in an Intermediate in heavy ground. A bold showing would not surprise, but the evidence suggests the ground is not in his favour so that is enough for me to pass him over.
I will come back to the other in single figures, but those at massive odds don't really have any sort of appeal. Jenkins went off as a co favourite for the 2018 Betfair Hurdle but only finished 16th and its been pretty much downhill since. His only win was at 1/25 in a match with Sussex Road in October 2018. He was purchased for just £2.5k at the sales in October and it would be some training performance to get him anywhere near his best given what he had been showing. Greyed A didn't run too badly in a hunter chase at Perth in May 2019 and that would give him an outside chance of a place here, but he hasn't run since.
That leaves us with Duhallow Tornado who has been nibbled in the betting already. He was impressive when winning over course and distance in 2018 (the same race Wishing And Hoping won last year) and won another at Kelso before not being a huge fan of the quicker ground on hunter chase night at Cheltenham. Sadly he missed 2019 through injury, but returned last year with a win, before running as well as could have been hoped in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham. First time out this season he was beaten by Wishing And Hoping at Maisemore. They run here under the same weights and he has 3L to make up on him although the winner was eased down. What I will say though is he needs more of a stamina test and he will get that here. I thought he had a really good chance at Hexham back in November in a handicap, but he didn't run to form and finished in 5th. He is better than that and given the lack of depth in the race I think he looks a solid enough e/w bet. I will settle to 3 places, but with Betfair and Paddy Power going 4 places then that obviously will be worth taking if you can.
Duhallow Tornado 1pt e/w @ 6/1 with Bet365 (11/2 4 places with Betfair)

After a blank week because of the weather we could have a really busy week as the Leicester hunter chase on Thursday looks like it might divide, there are two on Friday and we have one of the bigger hunter chases of the season on Saturday at Haydock.
It was good of Catterick to put on this extra hunter chase as they knew there would be demand for it and there is a big field. As per the races we have already seen though most of them have little chance. Wishing And Hoping was being touted as a possible Cheltenham horse last season especially after he won at Taunton, but connections wanted to wait a season as they thought he needed more experience plus they had Hazel Hill. He was 2nd to Alcala at Haydock a year ago and then bolted up in a weak race over course and distance in March. This season he was a comfortable winner at Maisemore and then was beaten at 1/3 at Chaddesley Corbett in December. I've got a feeling he under performed that day as even though he led Alex never looks that comfortable on him. Once passed by the winner he didn't find an awful lot and just kept on at the same pace. He is the most likely winner, but you wouldn't have thought Premier Magic would have been good enough to beat him last time so at odds on I will pass.
Haymount was well beaten by Shantou Flyer at Fakenham a year ago when 2nd, but Fakenham would not have suited him at all. This will be slightly more of a stiffer test, but Catterick is still pretty tight and that concerns me. He's 12 now and might just need this 1st time out.
Rio Bravo has not surprisingly been backed given he is another Bradley Gibbs trained runner and we know his horses are turning up very fit. He is a stablemate of the horse who beat Wishing And Hoping last time out and he does have plenty to find on form given he has only won up to Restricted level, albeit he won by 57L. He only ran once last season and was very disappointing when 3rd in an Intermediate in heavy ground. A bold showing would not surprise, but the evidence suggests the ground is not in his favour so that is enough for me to pass him over.
I will come back to the other in single figures, but those at massive odds don't really have any sort of appeal. Jenkins went off as a co favourite for the 2018 Betfair Hurdle but only finished 16th and its been pretty much downhill since. His only win was at 1/25 in a match with Sussex Road in October 2018. He was purchased for just £2.5k at the sales in October and it would be some training performance to get him anywhere near his best given what he had been showing. Greyed A didn't run too badly in a hunter chase at Perth in May 2019 and that would give him an outside chance of a place here, but he hasn't run since.
That leaves us with Duhallow Tornado who has been nibbled in the betting already. He was impressive when winning over course and distance in 2018 (the same race Wishing And Hoping won last year) and won another at Kelso before not being a huge fan of the quicker ground on hunter chase night at Cheltenham. Sadly he missed 2019 through injury, but returned last year with a win, before running as well as could have been hoped in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham. First time out this season he was beaten by Wishing And Hoping at Maisemore. They run here under the same weights and he has 3L to make up on him although the winner was eased down. What I will say though is he needs more of a stamina test and he will get that here. I thought he had a really good chance at Hexham back in November in a handicap, but he didn't run to form and finished in 5th. He is better than that and given the lack of depth in the race I think he looks a solid enough e/w bet. I will settle to 3 places, but with Betfair and Paddy Power going 4 places then that obviously will be worth taking if you can.
Duhallow Tornado 1pt e/w @ 6/1 with Bet365 (11/2 4 places with Betfair)

Obviously nothing has happened on the racecourse this week, but I am going to have my 2nd bet of the race. In the opening post on this thread I wrote the following:
Maxwell has 3 other horses priced up. Shantou Flyer has surely had his best chance of winning the race so he looks short at 16s. I haven't seen anything about Cat Tiger going hunter chasing and he is at 20/1. Bob And Co is also 20/1 but however much the Racing Post's Tom Collins thinks he is a Cheltenham Foxhunter contender I would be amazed if he turned up at Cheltenham and Aintree will be is race. We also know that Maxwell will only run one in the race based on what he said before this year's renewal so something would need to happen to Jatiluwih for any other these to run.
I have changed my mind on Bob And Co and he is going to be the 2nd bet at 25/1 with Bet365 although the 20s available elsewhere is more than fair as well. In Saturday's Racing Post Paul Nicholls has said that Bob And Co will be running at Cheltenham and if Maxwell is allowed to ride he will be riding him. Now clearly is other horses in the market are either unlikely to qualify or are going elsewhere. Shantou Flyer is going to the Kim Muir, Cat Tiger hasn't run yet so would be pushing getting two runs in now and Jatiluwih disappointed at Barbury and it looks like his plans have been put on hold as he hasn't been entered in any hunter chase yet. 
So why do I think Bob And Co might stay the trip whereas I was doubtful before? While there are two reasons. 1st of all he has had a wind op and that should see him see the trip out better. Clearly it will still be a doubt and the Fontwell race he won wasn't run at a strong pace, but we know he is a horse of class and he was given the highest rating of any horse to run in a hunter chase or point last season and that obviously includes It Came To Pass and Billaway. Nicholls was telling him to go to Aintree with the horse last year, but it I find it really interesting that he now thinks he is capable of having a big chance at Cheltenham. I suspect he will have a prep at some point and he was entered in the Scottish Foxhunter last week. The 2nd reason I think he is a bet at the price is that Maxwell won't be on top. Now it would be great to see him win the race and it wouldn't be a total disaster if he did ride him as the horse did settle much better for him at Bangor and Fontwell than he did at Warwick, but it would be daft to say that his chance doesn't improve if Harry Cobden ends up riding him. There is no way he goes off a 25/1 chance on the day and if he bolts up somewhere beforehand then even better. The fact he is currently the biggest price of the Maxwell owned runners listed also tells us we are currently getting good value and for me the slight unknown about if he will stay the trip in this contest is more than factored into the current price. Given his trainer thinks he has improved that is pretty scary for the rest of the opposition.
Bob and Co 1pt e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365

Obviously nothing has happened on the racecourse this week, but I am going to have my 2nd bet of the race. In the opening post on this thread I wrote the following:
Maxwell has 3 other horses priced up. Shantou Flyer has surely had his best chance of winning the race so he looks short at 16s. I haven't seen anything about Cat Tiger going hunter chasing and he is at 20/1. Bob And Co is also 20/1 but however much the Racing Post's Tom Collins thinks he is a Cheltenham Foxhunter contender I would be amazed if he turned up at Cheltenham and Aintree will be is race. We also know that Maxwell will only run one in the race based on what he said before this year's renewal so something would need to happen to Jatiluwih for any other these to run.
I have changed my mind on Bob And Co and he is going to be the 2nd bet at 25/1 with Bet365 although the 20s available elsewhere is more than fair as well. In Saturday's Racing Post Paul Nicholls has said that Bob And Co will be running at Cheltenham and if Maxwell is allowed to ride he will be riding him. Now clearly is other horses in the market are either unlikely to qualify or are going elsewhere. Shantou Flyer is going to the Kim Muir, Cat Tiger hasn't run yet so would be pushing getting two runs in now and Jatiluwih disappointed at Barbury and it looks like his plans have been put on hold as he hasn't been entered in any hunter chase yet. 
So why do I think Bob And Co might stay the trip whereas I was doubtful before? While there are two reasons. 1st of all he has had a wind op and that should see him see the trip out better. Clearly it will still be a doubt and the Fontwell race he won wasn't run at a strong pace, but we know he is a horse of class and he was given the highest rating of any horse to run in a hunter chase or point last season and that obviously includes It Came To Pass and Billaway. Nicholls was telling him to go to Aintree with the horse last year, but it I find it really interesting that he now thinks he is capable of having a big chance at Cheltenham. I suspect he will have a prep at some point and he was entered in the Scottish Foxhunter last week. The 2nd reason I think he is a bet at the price is that Maxwell won't be on top. Now it would be great to see him win the race and it wouldn't be a total disaster if he did ride him as the horse did settle much better for him at Bangor and Fontwell than he did at Warwick, but it would be daft to say that his chance doesn't improve if Harry Cobden ends up riding him. There is no way he goes off a 25/1 chance on the day and if he bolts up somewhere beforehand then even better. The fact he is currently the biggest price of the Maxwell owned runners listed also tells us we are currently getting good value and for me the slight unknown about if he will stay the trip in this contest is more than factored into the current price. Given his trainer thinks he has improved that is pretty scary for the rest of the opposition.
Bob and Co 1pt e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365

Obviously nothing has happened on the racecourse this week, but I am going to have my 2nd bet of the race. In the opening post on this thread I wrote the following:
Maxwell has 3 other horses priced up. Shantou Flyer has surely had his best chance of winning the race so he looks short at 16s. I haven't seen anything about Cat Tiger going hunter chasing and he is at 20/1. Bob And Co is also 20/1 but however much the Racing Post's Tom Collins thinks he is a Cheltenham Foxhunter contender I would be amazed if he turned up at Cheltenham and Aintree will be is race. We also know that Maxwell will only run one in the race based on what he said before this year's renewal so something would need to happen to Jatiluwih for any other these to run.
I have changed my mind on Bob And Co and he is going to be the 2nd bet at 25/1 with Bet365 although the 20s available elsewhere is more than fair as well. In Saturday's Racing Post Paul Nicholls has said that Bob And Co will be running at Cheltenham and if Maxwell is allowed to ride he will be riding him. Now clearly is other horses in the market are either unlikely to qualify or are going elsewhere. Shantou Flyer is going to the Kim Muir, Cat Tiger hasn't run yet so would be pushing getting two runs in now and Jatiluwih disappointed at Barbury and it looks like his plans have been put on hold as he hasn't been entered in any hunter chase yet. 
So why do I think Bob And Co might stay the trip whereas I was doubtful before? While there are two reasons. 1st of all he has had a wind op and that should see him see the trip out better. Clearly it will still be a doubt and the Fontwell race he won wasn't run at a strong pace, but we know he is a horse of class and he was given the highest rating of any horse to run in a hunter chase or point last season and that obviously includes It Came To Pass and Billaway. Nicholls was telling him to go to Aintree with the horse last year, but it I find it really interesting that he now thinks he is capable of having a big chance at Cheltenham. I suspect he will have a prep at some point and he was entered in the Scottish Foxhunter last week. The 2nd reason I think he is a bet at the price is that Maxwell won't be on top. Now it would be great to see him win the race and it wouldn't be a total disaster if he did ride him as the horse did settle much better for him at Bangor and Fontwell than he did at Warwick, but it would be daft to say that his chance doesn't improve if Harry Cobden ends up riding him. There is no way he goes off a 25/1 chance on the day and if he bolts up somewhere beforehand then even better. The fact he is currently the biggest price of the Maxwell owned runners listed also tells us we are currently getting good value and for me the slight unknown about if he will stay the trip in this contest is more than factored into the current price. Given his trainer thinks he has improved that is pretty scary for the rest of the opposition.
Bob and Co 1pt e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365

Obviously nothing has happened on the racecourse this week, but I am going to have my 2nd bet of the race. In the opening post on this thread I wrote the following:
Maxwell has 3 other horses priced up. Shantou Flyer has surely had his best chance of winning the race so he looks short at 16s. I haven't seen anything about Cat Tiger going hunter chasing and he is at 20/1. Bob And Co is also 20/1 but however much the Racing Post's Tom Collins thinks he is a Cheltenham Foxhunter contender I would be amazed if he turned up at Cheltenham and Aintree will be is race. We also know that Maxwell will only run one in the race based on what he said before this year's renewal so something would need to happen to Jatiluwih for any other these to run.
I have changed my mind on Bob And Co and he is going to be the 2nd bet at 25/1 with Bet365 although the 20s available elsewhere is more than fair as well. In Saturday's Racing Post Paul Nicholls has said that Bob And Co will be running at Cheltenham and if Maxwell is allowed to ride he will be riding him. Now clearly is other horses in the market are either unlikely to qualify or are going elsewhere. Shantou Flyer is going to the Kim Muir, Cat Tiger hasn't run yet so would be pushing getting two runs in now and Jatiluwih disappointed at Barbury and it looks like his plans have been put on hold as he hasn't been entered in any hunter chase yet. 
So why do I think Bob And Co might stay the trip whereas I was doubtful before? While there are two reasons. 1st of all he has had a wind op and that should see him see the trip out better. Clearly it will still be a doubt and the Fontwell race he won wasn't run at a strong pace, but we know he is a horse of class and he was given the highest rating of any horse to run in a hunter chase or point last season and that obviously includes It Came To Pass and Billaway. Nicholls was telling him to go to Aintree with the horse last year, but it I find it really interesting that he now thinks he is capable of having a big chance at Cheltenham. I suspect he will have a prep at some point and he was entered in the Scottish Foxhunter last week. The 2nd reason I think he is a bet at the price is that Maxwell won't be on top. Now it would be great to see him win the race and it wouldn't be a total disaster if he did ride him as the horse did settle much better for him at Bangor and Fontwell than he did at Warwick, but it would be daft to say that his chance doesn't improve if Harry Cobden ends up riding him. There is no way he goes off a 25/1 chance on the day and if he bolts up somewhere beforehand then even better. The fact he is currently the biggest price of the Maxwell owned runners listed also tells us we are currently getting good value and for me the slight unknown about if he will stay the trip in this contest is more than factored into the current price. Given his trainer thinks he has improved that is pretty scary for the rest of the opposition.
Bob and Co 1pt e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365

Right let's catch up with the 3 hunter chases that took place this week where I managed to back the 2nd in each of them!
We saw good horses in all 3 races, but no doubt in my mind that the Warwick contest on Wednesday was the best of them and I reckon that will be the best hunter chase we see this side of Cheltenham in the UK. To get a good race you want to see it run at a good pace and this contest certainly was which is another reason why I think the form is strong. Fair play to Latenightpass to win the race in the way he did on his first start for a year. He was up with the pace all the way and was in front from someway out. He was fairly keen as well, but he just kept finding and even pulled out a little bit extra when the 2nd got to him in the run to the line. He idled when he won at Cheltenham in May 2019 so it wasn't a new thing for him to do. It was clearly a personal best, but he has always been a horse his connections have held in high regard and he will be a player at Cheltenham for which Unibet go 25/1. Amazingly Bet365 don't even have him quoted.
If you have followed me in with backing Highway Jewel for Cheltenham then you have every right to be very excited about what she might do in a few weeks time. Granted we had a losing bet on the day where if she had been asked for a move a bit earlier I think she would have won. What also didn't help was that she was slow away and didn't jump the first too well. I think her jockey had in his mind that she only needed to finish 4th to qualify for Cheltenham and so made sure she got over the last couple of fences before trying to actually win the race. Whilst that is frustrating from the point of backing her to win the race, it also meant she wasn't bottomed with Cheltenham in mind. Warwick is a good jumping test so the fact she jumped pretty well on the whole was good to see and she should improve for that. She is still unexposed as well and I think as things stand she is the number 1 British contender.
I thought The Worlds End was given a sensible ride in that he stayed away from the hot pace, but he never really looked like he would get to the winner and then was over taken for 2nd on the run in. I was a bit surprised that Olly Murphy was considering skipping Cheltenham after that because it was a perfectly respectable run against two good horses. I guess the problem was always going to be fitting in two quick races to qualify, but in truth he should be able to do that fairly easily if they still wanted to go down that route. Ultimately he can only run in hunter chases now so to me they have nothing to lose.
This 3 pulled a long way clear of Marcle Ridge who of course finished 6th in the Foxhunter last year. Now I'm not for 1 second saying he ran up to that form and he will certainly prefer better ground, but to leave him well behind says plenty about what the other 3 achieved. I know one good judge has backed him for Cheltenham, but I just think he will struggle to see the trip out again and even on better ground I am not sure he will reverse the form.
As for the rest Ange Des Malberaux managed to plug on for 6th, but whereas he was prominent at Ludlow here he was always at the back. I wouldn't want to give up on him being capable of landing a hunter chase back in calmer waters. Vinnie Lewis didn't run much of a race, nor did Monbeg Gold although Back Bar didn't run too badly and should come on for the run.
Onto Wincanton where I thought Porlock Bay really ought to have won, but I suspect again the horse was there more to qualify for Cheltenham rather than actually win the race. For me we still don't really know if he stays because he was allowed to creep into a race which bar the winner was pretty uncompetitive. At Cheltenham he is going to have further to travel round a much tougher course and as good a horse as he is I just don't see how he can win at Cheltenham. If he were mine I would send him to Leicester for their big hunter chase in a months time over 2m6f and then it would be Aintree. He clearly has a lot of class though. He is 20/1 with Bet365 for Cheltenham, but as short as 14s with Betfred. I can see him being a horse that will drift on the day and actually might be worth a small value bet just in case he did see out the trip, but the price he currently is does not take that into account. 
If his jockey had been closer to Sametegal then I think he would have beaten in, but to be fair to the winner he did find plenty for pressure and he did deserve to get his head in front again. We know where we are with him and he always tends to run his race. We have to bare in mind though that he isn't the strongest stayer either and Paul Nicholls rightly is going to send him to Aintree rather than Cheltenham.
Captain Cattistock ran a solid enough race in 3rd and he isn't always going to bump into horses as good as the front two. Captain McGinley did land 4th place for those who had the bet with Betfair and he clearly wanted to try and stretch the suspect stayers down the back, but ultimately I think the main problem was he wasn't actually good enough. He clearly isn't as good as the horses either side of him at Cheltenham in May 2019, but in a lesser race he can win a hunter chase. King Of The Clothe ran OK, but it was hard to see too much promise in the others although part of the problem in these early hunter chases are the vast majority of runners are outclassed and it wouldn't be a big surprise if something popped up at a big price at some stage. Finding which one though is going to be very hard.
Alcala completed the hat-trick of 2nds in a case of choosing the wrong one. I was surprised that having been held up he made a move fairly quickly so that he took the running so that with a circuit to go he was pretty much in front. Not really sure why he felt the need to make the move so soon, but he did touch 1.07 in running which sums up that he looked the winner down the home straight. Salvatore having looked beat down the home straight then came back for more as he did at Cheltenham back in May 2019. In the end he has just outstayed the winner. We might possibly see the 2nd go to Haydock to win the Walrus again in a couple of weeks, but unless it's for his owners I can't see the point in going to Cheltenham. As for the winner I would send him to Cheltenham, but in May not March for the 4m contest on hunter chase night. Clearly all he does is stay and he could win that and then next year go for some long distance handicaps.
Federici ran well enough until fading down the home straight. He might have one of these in him at some stage. Senor Lombardy jumped much better today and in the end was less than 2L behind the 3rd. Catterick's novice hunter chase on March 10th looks a decent target to aim for as it shouldn't feature horses as good as the 3 in front of him. Clondaw Westie didn't run too badly in 6th although it still seems an odd move to send him all the way to Musselburgh. He will do better down in trip.

I will get round to reviewing the Warwick and Wincanton hunter chases over the weekend, but good old home schooling is getting in the way! With Wetherby off we are down to just Musselburgh for the hunter chase action for the Scottish Foxhunter (note they haven't changed the name). 
There might well be 14 runners, but at most only 5 have a chance of winning. Senor Lombardy is the first runner under rules for Brian Harding and he landed a point at Alnwick in December in impressive style and unlike when he went chasing under rules, he actually jumped well. The time wasn't especially quick though and given how he struggled over fences last season that has to be a concern back under rules. There was also certainly nothing of the quality of those above him in the market here.
Clondaw Westie did me a good turn when winning at Ffos Las last March, but that came over 2m5f and again it didn't have the sort of quality that this race features. He pulled up at Kimble back in November in the same race Porlock Bay won, but I suspect the quick ground didn't help that day although he surely wouldn't have beaten him anyway. I'm a bit surprised that Lawney is sending the one horse all this way over a trip that looks like it will be too far for him, so maybe she has more confidence in his stamina than I do.
Donald McCain doesn't send too many horses hunter chasing, but Federici comes here after pulling up in the Grand Sefton last time. The time before that he won at Carlisle over 3m2f off 124, but only 1 other horse finished the race. He will clearly stay, but I think he will probably need the front two in the betting to under perform to win.
So that brings us on to Salvatore and Alcala who aren't separated by much in the market. This is Salvatore's 2nd hunter chase after he was 3rd to Latenightpass in the Intermediate Final which means the front 3 from that race have all run this week. He was backed off the boards that night and the SP of 13/8 was shocking value really. He found himself outpaced and then taking the turn at the top of the course he got badly hampered. He then got hampered again by a faller at the next fence which did not help matters at all given he was already struggling to go the pace. He finished the race off well though to only go down by just over 7L. He has won 10 of his 15 points, but the form of them have not been overly strong when you compare it to Alcala's. The pick is probably one of the times he was beaten when 3rd to Shantou Flyer last January at Larkhill although he has tended to need his 1st run of the season as he showed again on Thursday at Wincanton so I wouldn't take that form literately. He has had a run this season when winning at Larkhill in December when beating Coningsby, but that one didn't exactly do much for the form on Thursday at Wincanton. The ground shouldn't be an issue though and nor should the trip. 
The question is will he be good enough to beat Alcala and I am not sure that he will be. He was one of the highest rated point or hunter chasers according to the form book last season and was really impressive when winning the Walrus at Haydock a year ago. That came on the back of a fall at Ludlow which meant he then had to got to Fontwell a week after the Haydock run to qualify for Cheltenham. He finished 2nd to Bob And Co that day which is obviously a good effort and then I suspect those quick runs told at Cheltenham when 9th and he ran OK. He's 11 now and there is always a question mark when they get to this sort of age as to how much ability they retain, but on bare form for me he should be odds on to win this race. He seems to be staying better now than he used to and clearly testing ground holds no fears for him. He has a good jockey claiming 7lbs to reduce the amount of weight he has to give Salvatore and it means he gets weight from Federici and Clondaw Westie. For me he is the one they all have to beat.
Alcala 2pts @ 11/8 with William Hill

Just a word on the 3.20 at Wincanton. Most hunter chases are Class 6 races so don't read anything into the fact he has been running in Class 2 handicaps as this is completely different. They are only really Class 6 races so they can put lower prize money in. Not saying Sametegal won't win, but trying to help explain that the class doesn't matter for a hunter chase. If he doesn't win today he will find a winnable hunter chase at some stage I would imagine.
 

I will stick a review up for Warwick on the Road to Cheltenham thread at some point, but although money was lost today on Highway Jewel she has run a hell of a race to become what I think is the number 1 Cheltenham British title contender as things stand. 
Onto Wincanton on Thursday and the obvious place to start is the favourite Sametegal. Clearly he hasn't won for 5 years, which would normally be a concern, but I think he has mainly been a victim of his own consistency as he has been running well. A year ago he was 3rd in the old Racing Post Chase at Kempton and then this season he has been 3rd twice, 6th in the Grand Sefton and then 4th in the Veterans' Final a month ago. His last 6 runs he has either run off 141 or 142 which sums it up. The ground wont be an issue, but you he wouldn't be the strongest stayer over this trip and you have to think that qualifying for Aintree would be his target and not Cheltenham. There isn't much depth to this so he can win for sure, but with the stamina concern even money is tight enough.
Porlock Bay was hugely impressive when winning on his British debut at Kimble 3 months ago. He had shown good form in France, but had been off the track since June 2019 prior to that Kimble run. He won on the bridle and fully deserved the word impressive being included in the form comment. I suspect he was probably heading for Hereford on Monday and a race over 2m5f and if he had turned up there I would have been all over him, but we just don't know if he will stay. The Kimble race was over 2m4f and that is the furthest he has ever gone in a race. He clearly wasn't stopping at Kimble and he looked a class horse and so it will be interesting to see if he can stay. His pointing rating is 133 after that race and Highway Jewel's was 131 prior to yesterday.
Captain Cattistock has a high rating in the pointing formbook as well although I am not sure he quite deserves a mark of 129 on what he did in two hunter chases last season when with Nicholls and owned by Maxwell. Taunton was too tight form him in the 1st of them and then he unseated at Doncaster when the result was still in some doubt. Granted the horse who went on to win that race did follow up in the last hunter chase of last season though. What we do know is he is certain to stay and he has gone to Fergal O'Brien which is hardly a bad thing.
Outside those 3 there isn't a huge amount to say about the rest of the runners. Coningsby made a good start to his pointing career when 2nd at Larkhill and he should enjoy this sort of test. It is hard to see him winning this though, but he has outside claims of a place. Deans Road goes for the same team who won at Warwick so has to be respected, but his 4 wins for Henry De Bromhead in Ireland were at around 2m4f and at the age of 12 he looks an unlikely winner.
There is 1 more horse worth talking about and I actually think is worth backing. Captain McGinley was put in at 100/1 with Bet365 and that was cut to 25/1 during the evening. The eye-catching run is the 2nd to Latenightpass in the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in May 2019. Now Latenightpass idled badly that night which allowed him back into the race having looked beaten (a bit like what happened at Warwick), but clearly the trip won't be an issue. He has only been seen once since then and that was when he pulled up at in a point at Ffos Las in December the same year. Clearly something was wrong that day to not be see since. His rules form was pretty poor when he last ran under rules, but for an 11yo he hasn't had much racing and clearly he is a better horse now. Crucially Bradley Gibbs' horses (he trains Highway Jewel) have been very good so far this season and have looked to be very fit.
Porlock Bay looked so impressive at Kimble that I have to back him at 9/4 as if he stays I think he will win. I am also adding Captain McGinley at a big price because we know he will stay, will handle the ground, the yards horses have been flying so far this season and the Cheltenham form obviously looks strong.
Porlock Bay 1.5pts @ 5/2 with Bet365
Captin McGinley 0.5pts e/w @ 18/1 with Bet365 & 16/1 with Betfair to 4 places.

I will stick a review up for Warwick on the Road to Cheltenham thread at some point, but although money was lost today on Highway Jewel she has run a hell of a race to become what I think is the number 1 Cheltenham British title contender as things stand. 
Onto Wincanton on Thursday and the obvious place to start is the favourite Sametegal. Clearly he hasn't won for 5 years, which would normally be a concern, but I think he has mainly been a victim of his own consistency as he has been running well. A year ago he was 3rd in the old Racing Post Chase at Kempton and then this season he has been 3rd twice, 6th in the Grand Sefton and then 4th in the Veterans' Final a month ago. His last 6 runs he has either run off 141 or 142 which sums it up. The ground wont be an issue, but you he wouldn't be the strongest stayer over this trip and you have to think that qualifying for Aintree would be his target and not Cheltenham. There isn't much depth to this so he can win for sure, but with the stamina concern even money is tight enough.
Porlock Bay was hugely impressive when winning on his British debut at Kimble 3 months ago. He had shown good form in France, but had been off the track since June 2019 prior to that Kimble run. He won on the bridle and fully deserved the word impressive being included in the form comment. I suspect he was probably heading for Hereford on Monday and a race over 2m5f and if he had turned up there I would have been all over him, but we just don't know if he will stay. The Kimble race was over 2m4f and that is the furthest he has ever gone in a race. He clearly wasn't stopping at Kimble and he looked a class horse and so it will be interesting to see if he can stay. His pointing rating is 133 after that race and Highway Jewel's was 131 prior to yesterday.
Captain Cattistock has a high rating in the pointing formbook as well although I am not sure he quite deserves a mark of 129 on what he did in two hunter chases last season when with Nicholls and owned by Maxwell. Taunton was too tight form him in the 1st of them and then he unseated at Doncaster when the result was still in some doubt. Granted the horse who went on to win that race did follow up in the last hunter chase of last season though. What we do know is he is certain to stay and he has gone to Fergal O'Brien which is hardly a bad thing.
Outside those 3 there isn't a huge amount to say about the rest of the runners. Coningsby made a good start to his pointing career when 2nd at Larkhill and he should enjoy this sort of test. It is hard to see him winning this though, but he has outside claims of a place. Deans Road goes for the same team who won at Warwick so has to be respected, but his 4 wins for Henry De Bromhead in Ireland were at around 2m4f and at the age of 12 he looks an unlikely winner.
There is 1 more horse worth talking about and I actually think is worth backing. Captain McGinley was put in at 100/1 with Bet365 and that was cut to 25/1 during the evening. The eye-catching run is the 2nd to Latenightpass in the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in May 2019. Now Latenightpass idled badly that night which allowed him back into the race having looked beaten (a bit like what happened at Warwick), but clearly the trip won't be an issue. He has only been seen once since then and that was when he pulled up at in a point at Ffos Las in December the same year. Clearly something was wrong that day to not be see since. His rules form was pretty poor when he last ran under rules, but for an 11yo he hasn't had much racing and clearly he is a better horse now. Crucially Bradley Gibbs' horses (he trains Highway Jewel) have been very good so far this season and have looked to be very fit.
Porlock Bay looked so impressive at Kimble that I have to back him at 9/4 as if he stays I think he will win. I am also adding Captain McGinley at a big price because we know he will stay, will handle the ground, the yards horses have been flying so far this season and the Cheltenham form obviously looks strong.
Porlock Bay 1.5pts @ 5/2 with Bet365
Captin McGinley 0.5pts e/w @ 18/1 with Bet365 & 16/1 with Betfair to 4 places.